Swap parties bringing new life to old wardrobes

12:00 AM CST on Sunday, January 4, 2009
By JAMIE KNODEL / The Dallas Morning News
jknodel@dallasnews.com
Everybody’s been tightening their belts – or at least talking about tightening their belts. And all this talk of belts has some people dreaming of a new one, or a new dress or a new pair of shoes.

DAVID WOO/DMN
Recycle still-fashionable clothing and accessories at an organized swap with friends.
But with the economy being what it is, not everyone is ready to shell out money for a wardrobe booster, so some are trading clothes with friends at swap parties. The parties are a chance to get rid of items that don’t fit, things that have been worn so much that you’re tired of seeing them, gifts that never really worked or anything else taking up space in the closet. But you don’t just get rid of stuff: You get to see it go to a good home, and you’ll get to bring home some goodies, too. And all without spending any money.

“I always have something I’m ready to get rid of,” says Lydia Varela of Dallas. “But I don’t like to waste it.” So, she swaps with her girlfriends and co-workers at Mary Kay Inc. She recently held a party to exchange clothing, accessories, shoes and more with her friends. “I tried to get together a group of similar size and taste,” Varela says. The group set some parameters beforehand. The friends decided that they also could bring some higher-end, gently used items and sell them to one another for a fraction of the original cost.

Ayo Fashola, a Dallas style and image consultant who has facilitated several swap parties, says the key to a successful swap is creating an intimate, comfortable situation where friends can try on clothes and get candid feedback about what works and what doesn’t. “The goal is to maximize what they already have,” she says. But “nothing says you’ve got to go home with anything. Don’t take stuff home that doesn’t work just because it’s free.”

Polly Simon of East Dallas attended a swap several months ago and ended up with several new-to-her skirts and purses. She gets a kick out of seeing her friends wearing something she contributed to the swap. “One woman made out like a bandit. Everything seemed to fit and look great on her,” she says. “We do a free-for-all,” says Varela. “Whatever works for people, they take.”
So what do you bring to a swap? Anything, so long as it’s in good shape, says Fashola. “Don’t bring something on its last legs.” And when the swapping’s over, the hostess usually delivers what remains to a charity for donation.

TIPS FOR CLOTHING SWAP

• Keep the guest list to about 10 people.
• As a group, set up clear guidelines beforehand: Will you limit it to swapping clothes or will you allow higher-end items to be sold?
• Separate items out by type before the swapping gets under way.
• Make sure to have a full-length mirror – or two.
• Many people will feel comfortable trying on clothes in the middle of the group setting, but not everyone. Have an area where people can retreat for privacy.
• Create a party atmosphere with music, food and drinks.
• Know what you already have in your closet and look for pieces that work with what you have.
• Don’t rule out items that might work with alterations.
• Get friends’ opinions about what works for you and what doesn’t.

Suzanne Bock, chairman, Brilliantly You gala and Heidi Dillon, one of the honorees at the Belo Mansion luncheon. Photo by Dana Driensky.	Toni Munoz, Ayo Fashola, Julie Rodriguez

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